It's official! Stop in for a hot liège style yeasted waffle made to order 7am-12pm everyday! House made is always best. Photo by: @ryanpdonahue #themillsacramento #innajam #visitsacramento #sacramento365 #cityscoutsac #sacfarm2fork #ediblesacramento #ediblesf

A photo posted by The Mill (@themillsacramento) on Jan 14, 2016 at 9:27am PST

Liege waffles are addictive.

This type of waffle is "is a richer, denser, sweeter, and chewier waffle...They're an adaptation of brioche bread dough, featuring chunks of pearl sugar which caramelize on the outside of the waffle when baked. It is the most common type of waffle available in Belgium and prepared in plain, vanilla and cinnamon varieties by street vendors across the nation," per Wikipedia.

Liege waffles were rare until food truck Volkswaffle served them as they occasionally showed up at events. They've become slightly easier to get, and are available regularly in Natomas (Waffle Experience), Carmichael (Volkswaffle brick & mortar) and some Saturdays at the Midtown Farmer's Market (Volkswaffle truck). But now, you can find them regularly at The Mill.

Here's what some local chefs are saying about it:

• "If you haven't been by to try the new waffles yet......run!" - Chef Michael Touhy
• "If nick and ilah [owners of The Mill] were restaurateurs they would have my bet for the first Michelin star in Sacramento. Their patience with their product development and standards of execution is rare to find anywhere. Plus they got soul. They inspire me." Chef Michael Thiemann of Mother and Empress Tavern.

Right now, you have three choices:

• $4.25 Waffle in Hand - Liege style yeasted waffle dusted with powdered sugar. Served-to-go.
• $6.50 Maple Waffle - Pure maple syrup and whipped butter atop Liege style yeasted waffle.
• $7.25 Jam Waffle - Dapple Dandy Pluot Jam or Pink Lady apple Butter, Whipped butter atop Liege style yeasted waffle.

I can't wait to pay them a visit.

The Mill is located at 1827 I Street and can be found online at http://www.themillsacramento.com/.

More News:

Local Roots Food Tours expands its lineup of regional culinary escapades - Local Roots Food Tours, which showcases the region’s bounty through guided culinary bus excursions, farm visits and walking tours in the Sacramento region, is expanding its tour offerings...On the cards for February is a brand new walking tour through the R Street Corridor that touches on the history of the historic railroad and commerce district and will make stops at popular restaurants in the neighborhood, including potentially Cafe Bernardo, R15, Iron Horse Tavern and Shady Lady Saloon. This spring, Local Roots will also begin a guided East Sacramento tour, likely hitting spots like One Speed Pizza, Chocolate Fish Coffee Roasters, Cielito Lindo and Formoli’s Bistro, while walking through the Fabulous 40s neighborhood to learn about historic homes like the 1945 Tudor on 45th Street where Ronald Reagan lived during his term as California’s governor. Tori Masucci Cummins in Sactown Mag.

A Day at V. Miller Meats - I recently had the pleasure of stopping by V. Miller Meats in East Sac for a quick chat with company co-owner, Matt Azevedo. As I was waiting to ask him about the amazing assortment of meats they had in their cases, I got to watch him and his staff do some expert butchery and slice up some seriously large pieces of various animals. It. Was. Awesome. Shaun Slaughter in City Scouts Mag.

New pizza here - Hot Italian is open at 500 First St., in Davis Commons, in the corner spot last occupied by The Melt. It opened that portion on Jan. 5, which includes the kitchen, ordering station, and a few tables inside and out. The second section, which adds more indoor seating, was scheduled to open by this weekend. That space was formerly home to Verizon Wireless. (Verizon moved to Pinkberry’s former space). An expanded patio, with more outdoor seating, will come this spring. Wendy Weitzel in the Davis Enterprise.

Noodle movement - Mongolian barbecue is weird. The name alone makes little sense. It’s not Mongolian, it’s Taiwanese. And it’s not barbecue, it’s stir-fry via a giant, circular griddle...One local spot managed to last for 35 whopping years: Mongolian Bar-B-Q by Great Wall (1537 Howe Avenue). It lost its lease and closed last week, though its owners intend to reopen somewhere else soon. Janelle Bitker in Sac News & Review. (Second item.)

Big news for coffee drinkers in Elk Grove - Elk Grove Mayor Gary Davis is selling his two Grace Coffee Roasters locations in the city to separate buyers who will run them under new names. Between serving as mayor and family demands, "owning these two coffee shops puts just a bit too much on my plate," Davis said on his Facebook page. One of the locations is a drive-thru and the other a traditional cafe. Sonya Sorich in Sac Biz Journal.

Broderick Restaurant's new midtown outpost is expected to open on Wednesday, reports Sonya Sorich in Sac Biz Journal.

Broderick Roadhouse opens its new location in midtown Sacramento this week, filling space vacated by a short-lived Wahoo's Fish Taco outlet.

The restaurant in the L Street Lofts building will open on Wednesday. Expect something similar to Broderick Roadhouse in West Sacramento, which opened in 2012 and will stay open.

Read the entire story in Sac Biz Journal.

Based on my Facebook feed, it looks like Broderick's already started holding preview nights on Monday, so a Wednesday opening is probably pretty solid.

There are a couple other tidbits related to Team Broderick (officially Working Class Heroes) to share:

• Congrats to Team Broderick, who won this past weekend's Sactown Wings Festival's Best Overall Wings in Sacramento award.
• Saddle Rock, which will soon replace Capital Dime, has been holding pop ups around town to build buzz for the place. In early August, they were the guest chefs at the Plates Cafe monthly dinner, and this past weekend, they did a pop up brunch at Localis. Follow them on Facebook to find out where they'll be next.
• This one's a little dated, but Jess Milbourn (formerly of West Sac's The Eatery) announced he left Broderick in May. He's hinted that he has a new venture coming.

Broderick Midtown is located at 1820 L St, Sacramento.

* Photo via their Facebook Page.

More News:

At-movie dining is catching on in Sacramento, beyond - The hot link cost $8.50, and the equally tasty Ruhstaller 1881 red ale – a beer that’s substantial without being heavy – ordered with it was $9.50. That’s pricey considering it costs $18 to enter the theater. But convenience costs. We also liked the chicken tenders ($7.50), which were crisp and not too greasy. Aside from these items, however, the Esquire’s food selections, including Freschetta pizza and White Castle burgers, do not differ much from what’s available at other theaters. Carla Meyer in the Sac Bee.

Coffee house’s shrub drink is worth cultivating - The shrub is actually an old, old drink that has been rediscovered and revamped by a new wave of cocktail artisans and discerning foodies. The Mill’s version is nonalcoholic and drinks more like a craft soda. To the uninitiated, the most notable flavor note is the vinegar – it’s tart in a way that will soothe some and jolt others. But no one denies its palate-pleasing finish that sweeps over the tongue in a way that is crisp, dry and refreshing. Blair Anthony Robertson in the Sac Bee.

Heirloom tomatoes meet arugula, basil and bacon — as pizza toppings - The news: Instead of ending the run of the Pizza of the Month for July — the Heirloom Tomato and Pancetta Pizza — Guerrera has decided to keep it through August. That’s because of the stunning quality of the heirloom tomatoes she’s finding at farmers markets. “They are looking so beautiful that we will continue serving the pizza,” she wrote.The e-newsletter goes on: “We start with a thinner-crust dough for a medium pizza. Then we add mozzarella and top it with a selection of heirloom tomatoes (these could include Brandywines, Cherokee Purples, Green Zebras or even the yellow Dagma’s Perfections). We then add pancetta, in the form of applewood-smoked bacon. When the pizza comes from the oven, we sprinkle on fresh arugula and basil.” Allen Pierleoni in the Sac Bee.

Gastronomicon: Revisitng crust knuckles with Pizza Hut's Cheesy Bites Pizza - We paid $11.99 before tax and delivery charge for a one-topping large. Was it worth it? Not really. You could argue over the novelty, but when I can get larges from Domino’s for $8 apiece and feel better about actually eating them, that’s what’s gonna happen. Save this pizza for those mired in the stuffed-crust life. Anthony Siino in Sac News & Review.

Construction Starts on Jimmy John’s in Natomas - Construction has started on a new Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches slated for Natomas Town Center. As reported by THE NATOMAS BUZZ in May 2015, the new eatery will be the first franchise for the sandwich chain in the greater Sacramento area. On Natomas Buzz.

One of my favorite things about Sacramento's food scene is the accessibility of all the chefs, brewers and other movers and shakers.

I've run into Randall Selland at the Sunday's farmers market. I chatted with Dave Gull of New Helvetia at a fundraiser for Fairytale Town. I've said hello to Billy Ngo at an event for the Sacramento Zoo.

Before I come up to them, they have no idea who I am, but they're more than happy to spend a minute to say hi and answer any questions I might have.

Another one of these events where you can meet some of Sacramento's best chefs and eat great food not available in their restaurants is this Sunday's Have an Offal Day event.

I went to the first one and was blown away by the variety and quality of food. (For those of you who aren't familiar, offal generally refers to the "other," less popular parts of an animal, including feet, organs, tongue, ears, etc.) You have to be adventurous, but you're not forced to eat anything.

Here's the all star cast of chefs participating in this year's event:

• Carina Lampkin (Blackbird Kitchen & Beer Gallery)
• Danny Origel (Roxy Restaurant)
• Tyler Bond (Dirty Feet Dining, Kru)
• Keith Breedlove (Culinerdy Cruzer, Food Network contestant)
• Hank Shaw (well known blogger, Hunter Angler Gardener Cook)
• Patrick Mulvaney (Mulvaney's B&L)
• Brian Mizner (Hook & Ladder)
• Brenda Ruiz (Biba's)
• Brock MacDonald (Block Butcher Bar)
• Wes Nilssen (de Vere's Pubs)
• Don Dickonson (Yang's Noodles and instructor at IOT Culinary School)
• Andrea Reiter (Capital Dime, soon The Patriot)

If you end up going, my advice is to eat it and then find out what it is. None of it will hurt you, but I can guarantee that most of it will be delicious.

I also spotted on Twitter today that there's a code to save $10 $5, via Hank Shaw, one of the participating chefs.

I'll be cooking wobbly bits at Sacto's Have an Offal Day​ on SUNDAY: Her'es a link 4 discount tix: http://t.co/qm39MsjpeA Code is: barber

— Hank Shaw (@Hank_Shaw) August 10, 2015

You can buy tickets here.

Want to learn more? Listen to Catherine Enfield's interview with Kitty O'Neal on KFBK.

Have an Offal Day will be held at Mulvaney's Next Door (1215 19th St.) from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 16.

More News:

Land Ocean New American Grill - This popular Folsom seafood eatery is expanding with a new location in Roseville at the Westfield Galleria mall, which is set to open in late August. In Sactown Magazine.

Vinegary bubbly: Jade nectarine shrub soda, The Mill - Hip cafes no longer serve Italian sodas for good reason: they're sugary sweet and ultimately one-dimensional. An excellent alternative? Shrub sodas, which sub out the Torani for a fruit- and vinegar-based syrup. The Mill recently started serving shrub sodas in two seasonal flavors, apricot and jade nectarine. Janelle Bitker in Sac News & Review.

Here’s the scoop - The City Council approved the lease for her shop, Cornflower Creamery, last month. The opening date is Sept. 1...Broughton said she will keep the shop open in the evenings, often until 11 p.m. That puts her in a group of merchants envisioning a different sort of downtown that’s alive long after state offices close, said Valerie Mamone-Werder, business development manager with the Downtown Sacramento Partnership. Bob Shallit in the Sac Bee. (Second item.)

 

Consider yourself invited! We are excited to mark this occasion with the debut of our affogato collaboration with Maiden Ice Cream. Please join us Friday evening for this and more. See you then!

A photo posted by The Mill (@themillsacramento) on Aug 5, 2015 at 3:24pm PDT

Mother & Empress chef Matt Masera will host the first (that I know of) Maiden Sacramento popup on Friday evening as part of The Mill's first anniversary party from 7 to 9 p.m.

 

Today's tasting was a success. Excited for the first #maidensacramento debut at @themillsacramento tomorrow night. @chefthiemann

A video posted by matt masera (@mattmasera) on Aug 6, 2015 at 4:32pm PDT

The video Masera posted on Instagram seems to tease that the menu will be something along the lines of affogato (espresso poured over ice cream), but he didn't elaborate on the menu or prices.

But that's kind of the fun of a popup. Embrace a sense of adventure. Show up, be delighted and enjoy.

Masera has been teasing the idea of a Maiden pop up for more than a year. Back in July 2014, he Instagramed a teaser image of the concept.

 

#maidensacramento @chefthiemann

A photo posted by matt masera (@mattmasera) on Jul 5, 2014 at 6:24pm PDT

The Mill, the host the event, is located at 1827 I St. and can be found online at http://www.themillsacramento.com/.

More News:

Tickets available for Dan Barber in Sacramento - The conversation is guaranteed to generate plenty of food for thought. Dan Barber, author of “The Third Plate” and chef/co-owner of New York’s Blue Hill, will appear in Sacramento on Oct. 6 at the Tsakopoulos Library Galleria. The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Chris Macias in the Sac Bee.

Roseville restaurant will offer beer, burgers, wings and ... custard - The owner of a new burger restaurant in Roseville is more than another entrepreneur with a dream. She has a family connection to a prominent casual-dining chain. Tino Phillips plans to open Buck & Sadie's Angus Burgers & Wings at 2030 Douglas Blvd. in November. Her father, Mike Phillips, is a founder of the concept behind BJ's Restaurants Inc., the Huntington Beach-based company that has locations in the Sacramento region and beyond. Sonya Sorich in Sac Biz Journal.

Cielito Lindo - After shuttering his doors for over a year, chef-owner Ramiro Alarcon says he feels “blessed and excited” to be back in business, whipping up creative new dishes like Sopa Azteca (a savory tortilla soup) or the Huachinango en Salsa de Frijol y Epazote (a red snapper fillet baked with cilantro and epazote in parchment to seal in the moisture and flavor). The restaurant also added two expanded dining rooms and obtained its alcohol license to now offer a few rotating wines and bottled Mexican beers. In Sactown Magazine.

Adult pleasures: Sacramento ice cream, Ginger Elizabeth - Looking to get all your vices in one place? Look no further than Ginger Elizabeth's “Sacramento” ice cream flavor. Comprising New Helvetia Stout ice cream swirled with Old Soul coffee ice cream, then nuggeted with bits of butter toffee and chocolate-covered ice cream cones, and beribboned with toffee sauce, it's an express bus to hedonism. Ann Martin Rolke in Sac News & Review.

Footwear in, frozen yogurt out - Pinkberry closed last week in Davis Commons. A sign on the entrance to its store at 500 First St., Suite 5, said that as of July 27, “we will no longer be swirling at this store.” It referred customers to other area stores in Sacramento, Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Roseville and Folsom. Wendy Weitzel in the Davis Enterprise.